Hotel France D'Antin has a new websiteGo to: http://www.francedantin.com/en/

For a number of years this was the official wwebsite for the Hotel France D'Antin in Paris, France.
Content is from the site's 2003 -2011 archived pages.

The current website for the Hotel France D'Antin is found at: http://www.francedantin.com/en/.

Hotel France D'Antin 3 star near Opera house
The France D'Antin is located in 75002.
22 rue d'Antin 75002 Paris-France

If you look at a map of Paris, you will notice that the hotel France d' Antin is located exactly in the centre of the city.

2006

Courtesy of Paris Eiffel Tower News

for the guests of
Hôtel France d'Antin

"I love Paris every moment.
Every moment of the year, I love Paris.
Why! Oh why do I love Paris?
Because my love is here..."

(Frank Sinatra)

Welcome to Paris! This page was designed especially for you who may visit Paris for the first time. The idea is to give you advices to acquaint you with the City of Light, and help you prepare for this exciting trip. Read on!

Prepare well for a stroll

Once you have settled down in your comfortable hotel room and are getting ready to take your first stroll, take some time to dress appropriately.

First, put on a really good pair of walking shoes to feel comfortable in the Parisian streets. Walking in Paris means stopping often to look at amazing details and buildings. This constant stop-and-go will wear you down if you aren't comfy in your shoes.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower means waiting often over 30 minutes to gain access to the ticket booth, then waiting some more for the elevator on the way up, and waiting some more for the elevator on the way down. So to your feet, a pair of good shoes will make a big difference!

Parisian weather is fickle in springtime and during fall: what starts out as a great clear day can turn rainy and chilly in the afternoon. Pack a sweater and a rain breaker if you are visiting during these seasons. Summer is usually fine (70-85°F), August is generally hotter (80-95°F). Winter is rainy and cold, almost as cold as in NYC.

In any case, take your umbrella along, it may become your best friend -- especially if you intend to take pictures of everything. Rain and camera lenses don't like each other.

Street-savvy tips

Now that you're dressed and all ready to venture outside, here are a couple of useful tips:

Avoid taking a taxi during the day, and notably in the morning until 11:00, and in the late afternoon from 4:00 to 8:00. Streets are jam-packed during those periods, and seeing the meter run while you're a sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic is a disheartening experience.

Taxi fares: taxi meters show your fare and one of three letters: A, B, or C. If you are within Paris and on the ring outside Paris (the peripheral boulevard), the A rate applies from 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and the B rate turns on from 8:00 PM till 6:00 AM. When you leave Paris intra-muros, the driver will turn on the B rate during the day and the C rate from 8:00 PM. If you are far from Paris, the C rate always applies. You will pay extra for every luggage you load in the trunk and if you take the cab from an airport. Don't try to hail a cab in the street too close to a train station: taxi drivers can't load passengers within a 100-meter radius from the train stations. Go to the station taxi head instead, or further away from the station.

French people do lunch between 12:00 and 1:30 PM, and dinner between 7:30 and 10:00 PM. If you wish to avoid the crowd, lunch at 12:00 tops and dine out from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Restaurants rarely serve between 2:00 and 6:00 PM.

Having a drink at the terasse of a sidewalk cafe is a necessary experience in Paris (skip it between November and March though,except if weather permits). However, terasse drinks are often charged premium prices.

Although they are saddled with a reputation, cafe waiters are not necessarily rude: they're just in a hurry. So don't take offense if they are impatient with you. Smile and show them what you want on the menu. They won't return the smile, but you will get your order quickly.

In Parisian restaurants, it is not customary for your waiter to come back to you once you are served to see if everything is allright: they assume this is the case. So don't feel you are ignored: just call the waiter when you wish to have your bread basket replenished. If you dine out at an expensive restaurant, waiters will tend your table diligently. Otherwise, it won't be the case.

Gratuity: your restaurant/cafe check already includes a 15% gratuity. If you feel like giving an extra tip to your cafe waiter, leave EUR 1 ($.97) on the table. In a restaurant, you may leave EUR 3-5 ($2.7-4.5, more if you are in an expensive place) but again, that's not expected in either case. Your credit card receipt won't show any gratuity line.

Armed with these few basic advices, you are ready to conquer the asphalt. On to places to visit!

Paris monuments and hallmarks

The Eiffel Tower

This world-famous landmark was built for the Universal Fair of 1889, held to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. It stands 1050 ft high. Admission (elevator to the top) is EUR 9.90 for adults, EUR 5.30 for children under 12.
Opening hours: Jan 1-Jun 13: 9:30am-11pm daily (stairs: 9:30am-6pm); Jan 14-Aug 31: 9am-midnight daily.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Work on the Hunchback's gothic home began in 1163 AD and was completed circa 1345 AD. The house of God can accommodate over 6,000 worshippers. Admission in the Cathedral is free, going to the towers costs about EUR 6. No elevator, people with a heart condition should abstain.
Opening hours: 8:00AM-6:45PM daily. Towers: 9:30AM-6:45PM daily. Masses: 8AM, 9AM, 12AM, 6:45PM.

Champs Elysees and the Arch of Triumph

The Champs Elysees avenue probably only deserves its nickname of "most beautiful avenue in the world" for its lower section, starting Place de la Concorde and ending at Grand Palais. The rest of the avenue mainly features overpriced shops and restaurants - with a few exceptions in the side streets. Walk to the Arch of Triumph, at the top of the avenue, and visit the 50-meter high structure built to commemorate Napoleon's victories. Admission is about EUR 6, and free for children under 12.
Opening hours: 9:30AM-11:00PM daily from April to October, and 10:00AM-11:00PM daily from Nov-March.

Montmartre and the Church of the Sacred Heart

The Romano-Byzantine basilica crowns the Montmartre hill. Its construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1914. Admission is free, except for the crypt and dome (about EUR 5). For a fun ride, go to the Anvers metro station, walk to "Rue Tardieu" and take the "funiculaire" (a one-car train which brings you almost to the top of the hill). Montmartre itself used to be a village outside Paris. The hill is famous for its architectural landmarks, its artistic life, and more recently, for 'Amelie'. It counts no less than 7 museums!
http://www.tecnilog.com/cartes/cpa/montmartre/mont.htm

Church of the Invalides

Its building started in 1671 under the reign of King Louis the XIVth, and about 30 years later. From its inception, the place was designed to serve as a home to impoverished soldiers and wounded veterans of the French army. It comprises the veteran hospital itself, a church, several museums, and the tomb of Napoleon I. Admission is EUR 6 for adults, and free for children under 12.
Opening hours: October to March 31: 10AM-4:45PM, April-September 30: 10AM-5:45PM
http://www.invalides.org/

Sainte Chapelle

Located on Ile de la Cité, the construction of this gothic church started under Louis IX in 1240 AD to house relics believed to be Jesus's Crown of Thorns and parts of the Holy Cross. Amongst other remarkable details, the tall stained-glass windows which are mainly original work. Admission is about EUR 6.
Opening hours: 10:00AM-5:00PM.

Place des Vosges

Its construction started in the early XVIIth century under Henri IV. It was completed in 1612. Initially named 'Royal Square', it was renamed 'Place des Vosges' by Napoleon I as an homage to the inhabitants of the Vosges region who had been particularly quick to pay their taxes. The square is remarkable both by its style (it is lined with 36 buildings, all dating from Henri IV) and by its shops and its little park where Parisians like to loaf on sunny Sundays.

Find more comments on Paris landmarks and monuments at http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/discover-paris.html.

Walking in Paris

Paris offers a number of interesting itineraries for strollers. You can follow the waterways (river Seine, St Martin Canal, river Bièvre) or the 17-km long railway transformed into a most surprising walkway hung some 50 feet above the hustle-bustle of the city. You can also spend some quality time in any of the large public parks which the city counts (Luxembourg, Buttes-Chaumont, Montsouris, Georges Brassens), discover the gardens of the 14th district, or else decide to learn live history and architecture in areas like St-Sulpice and St Germain-des-Prés.

A lively and interesting city

This is but a glimpse of the many places you will want to visit during your stay in Paris. Guests of the hotel are offered a Complimentary Pass to the Members Only section of the Paris Eiffel Tower News website, which features a lot more information on Paris.

The Complimentary Pass can be retrieved from the Thank You page which displays after your reservation request has been received by the hotel.

The hotel personnel wishes to be of service to you during your stay in Paris.

ROOMS

2011
The Website has a New Look
HOTEL FRANCE D’ANTIN *** OPÉRA

The hotel France D’Antin, at the number 22 of the Antin Street, was the house of « La Dame aux Camélias »

Ideally situated between the Garnier Opera Theatre and the Louvre, in the very heart of the capital.

Perfect location in the very heart of Paris, very close to the general stores and the famous Place Vendome ...

Also close to the Tuilleries gardens, the famous street of The Faubourg Saint Honoré, with its trendy shops ,and probably one of the best area to eat, with all its typical French restaurants and cafés.

In addition, few minutes away you will find the terminal for the buses to and from the airports.

As soon as you enter the hotel you will enjoy the warm welcome of the team and feel a typical ambiance of a Parisian place.

A cosy living room, a bar ,a welcoming breakfast room with bay windows on the street, a wifi and business centre trumpet ,upstream a lovely cellar arched. Everything was designed to facilitate and embellish your stay.

Owned by the Briet family, for two generations, as well as the hotel Montfleuri, next to the Arc de Triomphe.

The Hotel France d’Antin has 30 rooms, refurbished in 2005 in a typicall Parisian style,each flor has its harmony.The bathrooms were renewed in 2010 in a warm brownish color.

Today both hotels are managed by Carol Briet and Antoine Fanton.

24 hour service .
Taxi and consierge reservations.

A private bar where you can relax and enjoy a cocktail, a cup of champagne or a nice French espresso after a tiring day in Paris.

Modern equipments such as LCD television and a wifi access are available.

ROOMS HOTEL FRANCE D’ANTIN *** OPÉRA

Hotel France D'Antin offers two different types of rooms

SINGLE ROOM

There are six single rooms, all different depending on the floor; it could be beige, yellow, red or coral…

The rooms have a charming and personalized décor, the colours are harmonious and the furniture stylish and functional. Most of the bathrooms have windows to ad comfort.

In addition the hotel is equipped with internet wire less connection, and air conditionning.

Rooms on the second and the fifth floor have balconies, giving on the rue d’antin and rue du port mahon.

From the rooms of the sixth floor you will enjoy a view of Paris terraces

DOUBLE ROOM

In the “corner rooms”, a lounge has been built with a sofa, topping the times of détente. The bathroom is spacious and most of them have windows on the street.

The air conditioning stops automatically as soon as you open a window. Again the double glazing for comfort and wifi avaliable in each room.

Rooms on the second and the fifth floor have balconies, giving on the rue d’antin and rue du port mahon.

Rooms on the sixth floor, attic rooms, have a view on the neighborhoods terraces , they are specially romantic...

HISTORY

The Opera Garnier was built by the Baron Haussmann. The construction of the Opera begins in 1862 after an attack to attempt the life of Napoleon by Orsini out of the Chatelet's opera. The brilliant architect Garnier then unknown but who had won the open competition for the occasion, overcome the difficulties of trying to ground and through the building to create an independent style of Napoleon III and who may possibly seduce the empress.
Opera is the most remarkable building of the Second Empire period, although it did not cause the phenomenon of architectural fashion expected by its creator. Its facades fingerprints in some Italian style columns are enriched with sculptures; the most remarkable is the “Dance of Toad”. The size of the room can accommodate 1800 spectators. The interior is particularly noteworthy because of the use of marbles of several colors.

It is absolutely necessary to visit the Opera, at a party, or during a show, the ballet given at the Opera are wonderful.. Take a glance at the magnificent Grand Staircase and the grand home that are made to accommodate parties of the Second Empire. In 1964 E. Chagall is responsible for decorating the ceiling of the hall, references to famous operas and ballets are obviously very important. Within the building is the library or museum are archived all scores played at the opera since 1669, even before its installation in its premises, as well as many iconographic documents relating to dance and opera.

NEWS HOTEL FRANCE D'ANTIN *** OPÉRA

The Louvre museum

It is the largest museum in France and is rightly famous for it. But first it is the symbol of the state. The Louvre is composed of several parts that correspond to the stages of its construction: the Court Square, the Cour Napoleon, the Colonnade, the Pavillon de Flore, the Gallery of the waterfront, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Pyramid.

In 1190, the King Philip Augustus had built a fortress outside the city walls he wanted to establish on the right bank to protect himself from Henry Plantagenet. He built a square courtyard in the center of which was erected a strong tower, the Great Tower. It remains the symbol of royal power even after its destruction in 1528. This is understandable when we know that the walls of the dungeon were 4 meters thick, over 30 meters high. For two centuries the Louvre (whose name comes from the kennel at Wolf) kept a protective role in the kingdom, but also kept treasures and archives, and even prisoners.

The Louvre under Charles V change destination: the city spreads around the fortress. Charles V took the opportunity to expand and transform it into a royal residence. The Louvre is taking a different face, more functional and less closed. When Francis the First came to the throne he decided to destroy the old Louvre. Only the Great Tower is demolished. But on the eve of his death, he asks Pierre Lescot to renew the old buildings. During 30 years Lescot continues the work under Henri IV. Under Louis XIV, the Gallery is transformed to royal apartments but it is not only the apartments of the king and queen but also a way for the King to escape out the walls of Charles V in case invasion.

The succession of these structures is very sensitive to the uninitiated as the global harmony was sought. Moreover, the Louvre is primarily of interest to collect rich and varied collections that are quite remarkable: the Greek, Egyptian and Oriental collections of Italian and French paintings.

It is here that, among other things, the Mona Lisa, the statue of the Seated Scribe (-2500 ac) and numerous pieces found throughout the world and recorded the destruction of buildings in Paris.

Visits with hearing aid are possible, nonetheless noted that it takes 3 months if you want to stop at each work one minute....